A Baker’s Dozen of British Marches

Marches were originally designed to assist the movement of troops or processions. There are several distinct types of march, including the ‘slow’ march, the ‘parade’ march and the ‘quick’ march often associated with the cavalry. Most examples are written in 2/4 or 4/4 time, although some ‘quick’ marches can be in 6/8 time.

Of interest to listeners are so-called ‘concert marches’ which do not have utilitarian uses but are simply composed to entertain concertgoers.

The character of these marches is often regal and majestic. Several listed below are associated with state occasions such as coronations and military events. Many marches follow the form of Scherzo and Trio. The former is often lively and rhythmic with a regular beat. The latter is typically more lyrical and expressive. The melody is often memorable. Frequently they express a sense of pride in British heritage.

British composers have produced some fine examples over the years. All classical music listeners will know of Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance Marches, especially No.1 in D major (Land of Hope and Glory) and No.4 in G major. There are another four: No.2 in A minor, No.3 in C minor, No.5 in C major and finally No.6 in G minor. The last was realised by Percy Young in 1956 and later by Anthony Payne in 2006. Two other examples that are ubiquitous are Eric Coates’s Dam Busters March and his Knightsbridge March. I have not included these in the listings below. They are presented in chronological order.

1. Hubert Parry: Bridal March from The Birds of Aristophanes (1883)
2. Frank Bridge: Coronation March (1911)
3. Edward Elgar: Empire March (1924)
4. William Walton: Crown Imperial (1937)
5. John Ireland: Epic March (1942)
6. Eric Coates:  Television March (1946)
7. William Alwyn: Festival March (1951)
8. Arnold Bax: Coronation March (1952)
9. William Walton: Orb and Sceptre (1953)
10. Cedric Thorpe Davie: March – The Royal Mile (1953)
11. Arthur Bliss: Welcome to the Queen (1954)
12. William Walton: March Introduction, March, and Siegfried Music from The Battle of Britain (1969, arr.1985 by Colin Matthews)
13. Carlo Martelli: Jubilee March (2002)

I accept that listeners may not consider them as masterpieces. But they are all enjoyable, sometimes inspiring and always well written.  My favourite march from the above list is Walton’s Crown Imperial, written for the Coronation of King George VI in 1937. This is very closely followed by Bliss’s Welcome to the Queen and Bax’s Coronation March. Most of these titles are available on YouTube.